IRISH comedian Dara Ó Briain is known for hosting Mock The Week and The Apprentice: You’re Fired. The 42 year old, who has a degree in mathematics and theoretical physics from University College Dublin, has also presented BBC2’s Stargazing Live.

The comedian returns this week for the third series of Dara Ó Briain: School Of Hard Sums [BBC]

Dara Ó Briain returns this week for a third series of Dara Ó Briain: School Of Hard Sums, where guests attempt to solve mathematical conundrums. He lives in London with his wife, Susan, a surgeon, and their two young children.

What can we expect from the new series of School Of Hard Sums?

We’re lucky to have some top quality guests such as Lee Mack, Kevin Bridges and Sally Phillips. And this time, it’s an hour long. When the show began in 2012 it was only half an hour, then it was extended to 40 minutes. Like a viral infection, it’s spreading bit by bit.

The series combines maths and comedy. Where did the concept come from?

It’s a Japanese format and a prime-time hit there. Here, it’s a tougher sell.

You seem a natural fit for this…

They wanted someone to do the maths and the jokes – as you can imagine, there was a limited pool to choose from.

The show starts on Tuesday at 10PM [BBC]

The strangest thing I've read about myself is that I assisted the RSPCA with saving a goose lost in a tile shop

Dara Ó Briain

Your stand-up tours in 2010 and 2012 were sellouts. Do you plan another?

Yes, I do. I’m currently writing the material and plan to start touring in early 2015.

Have you more TV work in the pipeline?

Myself and [fellow stand-up] Ed Byrne are filming a BBC travelogue through Central America. I’m also back with more of The Apprentice: You’re Fired this year.

You returned for Stargazing Live. Is astronomy a passion?

It’s a pleasure. Next year’s series, which I’ve signed up for, will be even more exciting, because there’s an eclipse over the UK.

Will we ever see you on a celebrity reality show?

No. I try not to do anything with “celebrity” in the title. The only argument for it would be to stop me doing it later, when I’m desperate for work!

What’s been the most embarrassing moment of your career?

I did three years of kids’ TV in Ireland. On one show, I dressed up as an opera singer and sang Love Me For A Reason.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve read about yourself?

That I assisted the RSPCA with saving a goose lost in a tile shop.

What’s the best showbiz party you’ve ever been to?

I was a guest on Goodbye Television Centre with David Attenborough, John Cleese and Michael Parkinson. The party afterwards was amazing, but I had to leave because a fuse blew in our house. I left the greatest showbiz party of my life to press a switch down and up!

Dara Ó Briain: School Of Hard Sums, new and exclusive on Dave, starts Tuesday at 10pm.